Cable vs. Satellite TV

There's no doubt that television is popular - in the US alone, more than 98% of all households have at least one television set. And many of those TV owners have either satellite or cable TV. Satellite and cable TV provide many channels that serve to both entertain and educate. From movies to sports to children's programming, satellite and cable both have something for everyone.

When trying to decide between satellite and cable TV, there are several things to take into consideration.

Cost
Nine times out of ten, the people who have cable TV will end up paying more than those who have satellite TV. Consider the following - the average cost of cable in the United States is $39.99, and that generally includes about 50 channels.

The average cost of satellite TV, on the other hand, vary with company and package, but customers can shop around to find the one that fits their budget and channel preferences. For example, Dish Network is $31.99 for 60 channels, and Direct TV is about $42 a month for $115.00. Packages can go up to $90 a month or more.

In addition to the monthly fees customers pay for programming, most cable companies charge a variety of fees. For example, the average set-up fee for cable in the United States is $40, while each additional room is $10 to set up. Customers can expect to pay another $11-12 a month to add digital channels to their line-up. Some companies will also charge fees for the cable box.

Satellite companies, on the other hand, are in constant competition with each other. For this reason, there are always deals to be found, and most of them include free installation and free equipment.

Satellite television will almost always be less expensive than cable TV. In addition, it will also have more channels. In some smaller counties, however, cable TV can be as low as $20 a month.

Programming
Programming for satellite and cable TV varies widely. Satellite will always give its customers more channels. Channels often include packages such as Spanish language packages, sports channel packages, children's programming packages, and an assortment of others. Cable prices vary widely depending too on what packages or channels customers get, but they won't offer customers the same assortment of channels as satellite will.

One thing to consider when purchasing satellite TV as well is the channels being offered. For example, a satellite company may offer 60 channels for $19.99 a month, but upon closer inspection of the channels, customers will see that many of the channels are actually what are called "fillers," or channels people most likely won't watch. The 60 channels for $19.99 package may include 5 different home shopping channels and another 4 or 5 channels that are local programming or station guides. So it's important to take this into consideration before deciding between cable and satellite.

Equipment
Cable TV requires nothing more than a cable box and a wire to connect it to the TV with. So people who like to fuss with a minimal amount of equipment might prefer this. Satellite TV requires a dish and a receiver plus multiple remotes. Occasionally, satellite companies will charge a hefty amount for equipment, but they usually have specials that waive equipment fees.

Summary
Customers who want lots of programming options for a competitive price would be wise to choose cable. But for people who only watch TV occasionally, and only a few channels, or can get cable for $20 a month, might want to go with cable.